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Porn actor felt ‘persecuted’ by fuss over Pasadena college speech

February 27, 2013 | 9:59
am

The porn actor scheduled to speak to a Pasadena City College class on Wednesday said he felt "a little persecuted and singled out" after hearing that the audience for his guest lecture had been significantly pared down.

James Deen – the popular porn star who recently starred with Lindsay Lohan in the non-adult movie "The Canyons" -- said he first heard of the backlash Wednesday morning after receiving a phone call from a friend.

"I was genuinely confused on why there was a problem," he said. "I feel a little persecuted and singled out."

As word of his planned guest lecture spread, college administrators on Tuesday called the organizing professor, Hugo Schwyzer, in for a meeting in which they claimed he violated campus protocols in scheduling the event, the Pasadena Sun reported.

Deen was scheduled to give a talk on his industry at the Creveling Lounge, which would have been open to the public and media.

But college officials released a statement Tuesday saying the event was "unauthorized" and would either have to be rescheduled or confined to Schwyzer's classroom and his students.

The professor, citing scheduling conflicts with the porn star, chose the latter.

In a statement Tuesday, Robert Bell, assistant superintendent of academic and student affairs, said the college supported Schwyzer's academic freedom "within the classroom," but that administrators had a duty to make sure all public events were properly planned "so we can insure public safety and security."

Despite concerns from campus administrators that the event could present security and insurance liability issues, Schwyzer said he had only received "a whopping three phone calls and five emails" regarding the event.

Schwyzer noted that porn actors have addressed his students before regarding the industry. He also posted on his website a statement on his version of the events leading to the change.

Deen said his objective Wednesday is to educate students about human sexuality and portray pornography as a legitimate profession. He added that he hopes that the forum will empower students to make their own decisions.

"No one is being forced to be there," he said. "This is an opportunity for people who want to ask questions and talk openly about sexuality."